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Ithaca Day Trip | New York Destination to Chase Waterfalls

A quick day trip or weekend getaway to Ithaca NY should be on your bucket list.

Taughannock Falls from the upper lookout with the stairs and lookout in the foreground and the waterfall with greenery around it in the background

A day trip to Ithaca NY needs to be on your list. Ithaca is home to Cornell University and is surrounded by amazing waterfalls (more than 100 within 10 miles of downtown) in the Finger Lakes region. The most impressive is the Taughannock Falls which is the central feature of the Taughannock Falls State Park. Check out all the waterfalls near Ithaca here. It is possible to do an Ithaca day trip from Ottawa, Toronto or Montreal to enjoy the waterfalls but you’ll get the full experience by spending at least one night in Ithaca.

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There is a lot to do in Ithaca, besides visit the waterfalls. Ithaca is in the Finger Lakes Region which is New York’s largest wine-producing region with over 100 wineries and vineyards. The city sits on Cayuga Lake, the longest of the Finger Lakes, which offers tons of opportunities to enjoy outdoor activities including hiking, kayaking, fishing and swimming. Ithaca also boasts award-winning wineries and vineyards across the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail as well as world-class ciders.

TIP: if you’re driving from Ontario to Ithaca, chances are you’ll take a toll road so make sure to bring some American cash. If you’re parking in Ithaca, use an awesome app to park called ParkMobile that gives notifications for when you’re about to run out of time and you can add more from your phone, rather than running back to the meter to pay again. So handy!

Taughannock Falls Waterfall from rock escarpment with fall foliage vibrant colours as part of a day trip to Ithaca NY

Where to Stay in Ithaca

Camping: Campgrounds and campsites are plenty, ranging from backcountry to full-hookup convenience and everything in between. Ithaca Tourism has put together a fantastic list of campsites here. What’s great about camping is it’s affordable and offers you the opportunity to stay close to your preferred hiking trails. I recommend the Robert H. Treman State Park or Taughannock Falls State Park. The Robert H. Treman State Park is a beautiful area with gorges and winding trails and the Taughannock Falls State Park boasts the areas tallest (and magnificent) waterfall.

Hotels/Inns: If camping is not your style, check out the Inn on Columbia bed and breakfast, or the Bed & Breakfast and Vacation Rentals of Greater Ithaca (a small association of small, locally owned and operated accommodations).

Cornell University: Have a chance to stay on campus at Cornell University in the The Statler Hotel.

Where to Eat in Ithaca

Best Pizza: Franco’s Pizzeria It was the best, greasiest pizza I’ve had in a while and I loved it.
Best Cafe: Ithaca Bakery is a classic that has been open in Ithaca for over 100 years. They serve lots of local goodies including sandwiches, soups, entrées, fair trade coffee and more.
Vegetarian: Moosewood Cooks
Pub food: Ithaca Beer Taproom (with a wicked outdoor dining patio).

Ithaca Day Trip | 24-hour Itinerary

Ithaca Falls

Your Ithaca day trip should include Ithaca Falls. They are located within the city of Ithaca and an easy stop after grabbing some grub. A parking lot is very close to the falls (less than a 5 minute walk) and they are roaring and magnificent! Plan to get a little wet from the mist (especially if you want to get closer).

Cost: FREE
Parking: FREE

Ithaca Falls with a tree branch in front of the waterfall in the water

Robert H. Treman State Park

Cost: Vehicle entry fees from April to mid November.
Parking: included in state park fee
Walk to falls: less than 10 minutes

Robert H. Treman State Park waterfall with a ladder to climb in and out of the water in front of the waterfall

Taughannock Falls State Park

This stop is a must in your Ithaca day trip. By far my favourite waterfall is Taughannock Falls, and I recommend it as your last stop because it is so impressive (you’ll want to work your way up to it). It is about a 20 minute drive from the Robert H. Treman State Park with two vantage points: an upper lookout to see the falls from above and a lower trail and lookout to see them up close. The upper lookout is right beside the parking lot with a set of stairs to get a bit closer, as well as a public bathroom and gift shop. The lower lookout is about a 5 minute drive and then a 1.2 km (3/4 mile) walk to see the falls from below.

Cost: FREE (from lookout) or $US for state park access (lower lookout)
Parking: included in fee
Walk to falls: 0 minutes from upper lookout and about 20 minutes from lower trail

Taughannock Falls from the upper lookout with the waterfall with greenery around it in the background
Taughannock Falls from the upper lookout with the stairs and lookout in the foreground and the waterfall with greenery around it in the background

Here are the two amazing shots from my friend Ben.

At Taughannock Falls, a breathtaking natural wonder cascades down a towering cliff, creating a stunning display of water and rock. On the observation platform, a woman stands in awe, taking in the majestic beauty of the falls. Her presence adds a sense of scale to the grandeur of the scene, as she gazes up at the dramatic waterfall, framed by lush green surroundings and rugged rock formations. The powerful flow of the falls and the serene expression on her face together capture the essence of nature's magnificence and tranquility.
a woman stands on the rugged rocks at the base of the waterfall. The powerful cascade of water plunges dramatically from the high cliffs above, creating a misty spray that catches the light. The woman, silhouetted against the grandeur of the falls, appears small in comparison, her presence emphasizing the immense scale and natural beauty of the scene.

Watkins Glen State Park

Now, the three stops above are easy to do within a day trip from Ottawa, Toronto or Montreal. However, another fantastic stop is the Watkins Glen State Park. It is recommended to give yourself about 2-4 hours at this park (at least). The park has a 400 ft (120 m) deep narrow gorge with 19 waterfalls within the two mile hike. If you stay in Ithaca for a night, you can easily add this state park on to your trip. As you can see from the photos, this place is GORGEous. It does get busy mid-day, but it’s worth the visit regardless. It’s not super difficult (because you’ll be pausing for photos), but there are a LOT of stairs. (There’s about 800 steps!!!)

Cost: $10 USD for day pass/parking

An image of Watkins Glen State Park Gorge, capturing the dramatic interplay of water and rock with cascading waterfalls and verdant foliage enveloping the winding trail.
A tranquil scene from Watkins Glen State Park Gorge, highlighting the intricate rock formations and the serene, meandering stream amidst a forested landscape.
A picturesque view of the Watkins Glen State Park Gorge, featuring steep, towering cliffs and a sparkling waterfall nestled within a dense, natural forest.

Hector Falls

If you make it to the Watkins Glen State Park, be sure to stop by Hector Falls on your way! It’s only about 5 minutes away and is an amazing waterfall at the side of the road.

Hector Falls in New York State, showcasing a dramatic waterfall plunging over steep rocks into a serene pool below, framed by verdant woodland.

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